'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' A Nation's Need
Dr. Charles Stanley
If you received a call that someone you loved was stricken with a serious illness, you would not whisper a quick, "Bless her, Lord" and move on. No! You would fall to your knees--heart heavy in your chest--pleading with God to restore her health. We should respond similarly when our country's "health" is compromised: we should pray as fervently for our land and her leaders as we would for a dangerously ill friend.
King Solomon was warned of the peril to his nation if the people ceased honoring the Lord. God explained what Israel was to do in such a state of turmoil. First, the people were to humbly admit their need for the Lord's intervention. Second, they were expected to cry out to Him from hearts burdened for the country's situation. And third, those seeking a renewal of God's blessing upon Israel were to undergo a time of personal confession and repentance.
The Lord's word to Israel contains principles that are also relevant for us in modern times.
"Those who are called by His name"--in other words, the body of believers--have a duty to intercede on behalf of their country when it is ailing. Christians who want God to hear prayers, forgive national sins, and heal their homeland are wise to follow the steps He laid out to Solomon.
Your nation needs your prayers. As you become aware of unhealthy trends and decisions, start with a personal heart cleansing: confess and repent of any known sin (1 John 1:9). Then cry out to our heavenly Father for the return of a vibrant, God-fearing culture.
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SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE
2 Chronicles 7:11-22
When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, the Lord appeared to him at night and said:
"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
"As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.'
"But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?'
People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them--that is why he brought all this disaster on them.'"
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